Thoughtful but Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas for a Loved one
With the current state of the economy, many people are feeling the squeeze on their own household budgets. The Christmas season is traditionally one of gift giving, but the 2010 holiday season is more of a strain on most budgets than prior holidays have been. The spirit of the season can still be just as thoughtful as ever, though, and sometimes moreso, when there isn't as much money to spend. The following are ten thoughtful, but inexpensive, Christmas gift ideas that you can give to a loved one.
1-Collection Piece
If the person that you are buying for collects something, you can purchase a new piece for them. This could be a charm for a bracelet, a set of unique salt and pepper shakers, a collectible spoon, or anything else that a person collects. You can usually find an item for under twenty dollars if you are a smart shopper. You can even find collectible items at second hand stores and clean them up to be like new.
2-Memory Disc
If you know how to use a Powerpoint program on your computer and have one recordable disc, you can make a very special gift for only a couple of dollars. Creating a memory disc, using photos that are downloaded onto your computer, is a very thoughtful gift that a person can cherish for years. You can even put music behind it that has some special meaning to the person or to the two of you.
3-Time
Spending time with a loved one is often one of the best and most appreciated gifts that the person will ever receive. You can just spend a day visiting together in one of your homes, or you can do something out of the house together that isn't overly expensive. Going to lunch or coffee and dessert can be a very enjoyable time for you both and also very inexpensive.
4-Meaningful Home Decor
There are many items that you can purchase for a person's home that have sayings on them or some other special meaning to the recipient. Placques, coffee mugs, tea cups, framed prints, and other things that add love and warmth to a person's home are nice gifts that come in every price range.
5-Bath Products
Bath products are nice, especially for many women, who enjoy soaking in a relaxing atmosphere. You can put together a bath set in a basket or gift bag that includes bath oils, salts, and bubbles. You can also include a nice scented candle, a book, a bottle of wine, and any other items that you can think of that would be enjoyed by the recipient in a relaxing bath.
6-Framed Photos
If you have a nice picture of the two of you together, you can frame and mat it nicely. This will not be very expensive, but it will provide the person with a tangible item that will be a memory each time he or she looks at it.
7-Services
If there is something that you can do to assist a person in their life, this can also be a great gift that is inexpensive. For instance, if someone offered to come to my home and cook dinner for my family, I would be very happy with that gift, since cooking dinner is my most dreaded task of the day. Or, maybe you could offer someone childcare, housekeeping, tax preparation, or some other ability that you have which the person would appreciate.
8-Personalized Gifts
Today, you can have almost anything personalized and this will bring special meaning to any gift, no matter the cost. You can have silk-screening done, engraving, photos put on an assortment of items, and other means of making a gift more thoughtful. You can have a lot of these things done online without spending too much at all.
9-Gift Card
Getting someone a gift card to his or her favorite retailer can be purchased for whatever amount you have in your budget. This also allows a person to get the gift that he or she really wants.
10-Romance Basket
If you are looking for something for someone that you are in a romantic relationship with, you can make up a nice basket with romantic items in it to enhance your relationship.
Holiday gifts don't have to cost a lot to be meaningful and thoughtful. The spirit and love with which the gift is given is far more important that the price tag on it. Christmas is a time of giving, but for our loved ones, the giving should come from the heart, not only the wallet.
